Simple toys lead to simple life

by Anushka Nanayakkara

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Behind every toy, there’s a story as entertaining as the toy itself! Toys have always been a part of history. They reflect society, culture, fairy traditions, history, innovations, imaginations and much more.

Everyone likes to know more about the toys they love as much as they had enjoyed them in their childhood. We all did have our favourite toys, let’s find out who has adored most the inside world of toys. In our country we have lots of local made wooden toys such as dolls, animals, Jig-saw puzzles etc.

In my childhood we used to make a scale out of coconut shells for our wendy-house. It always did add a much more different pleasure to our own world than playing with the ordinary dolls.

When I was a teenager my favourite toy was ‘Barbie’, though at that time I didn’t gather much information, later on I found out what a beautiful history this stylish doll has got. I think that might be the reason itself, in every second of everyday, two Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.

A Barbie doll-fan might like to know the tale behind this beautiful toy, this is how it goes.... Barbie doll or her full name which goes as ‘Barbie Millicent Roberts’ was invented in 1959 by Ruth Hander whose own daughter was called Barbara.

Barbie was introduced to the world at the American toy fair in New york city. The doll was intended to be a teenage fashion doll. The Ken, Barbie’s boy friend was named after Ruth’s son. She has represented forty five different nationalities and are being sold in more than 150 countries around the globe.

Barbie has 80 professions, everything from a rock star to a presidential candidate, but she first came as a teenage fashion model. Some of the other professions are the military series of barbie dolls Army, Air force, Navy and Marine corps a medical Sergeant enlisted in desert storm and a Barbie who goes to college as well.

Do you know who made the first toy-bear called ‘Teddy Bear’? Well, there are several stories, but one of the most popular is, that Moris Michtoms has made the first official toy bear. Michtom has been an owner of a novelty and candy store in Brooklyn, New York.

His wife Rose was making toy bears for sale in their store. Michtom and his brothers started a toy company called, The Ideal Novelty. However, the truth is that no one is sure who made the first teddy bear. But it’s one of the world famous toys and is also being gifted by lovers to their loved ones. Teddy is more of a symbol of happiness and love.

Veteran Journalist, Kala Keerthi, Edwin Ariyadasa told ‘Sunday Observer’, that his favourite toy was a ‘cinema box’ which he got as a gift when he was at the age of seven. “I used to insert different clips, enlarge them to various forms and observe it. Later, this became a kind of a hobby to me. I began collecting information on the world of media, little by little even without my knowledge I started building my ambition to be a Journalist, which I have twice achieved”.

Professional and most popular actor, Roshan Ranawana said that he had a very good collection of toys but out of that his favourites were the set of characters such as ‘super man’, ‘bat man’ and cartoon figures as well. He said “I always used to get their kind of characters and create stories of my own, thinking as if I’m the Director.

Though at that time, I never thought this would be a good influence for my future, now I have figured out that the imaginations I had are related to my profession”.Presently the kids most wanted toy has become the toy ‘mobile’. Even a two or three year old little one would know how to use this and would crave to be one of the owners of this trendy mobile toy.

Toys are enjoyed all over the world because playing is essential for child’s growth. Toys are the tools that help children learn and play. Selecting and using the best one might have greater chances to sharpen or to influence a kid’s future in some prosperous way. Parents should know by just buying toys would not help their kids unless they try to help them to figure out their interests.

It is not necessary to give luxury toys to your kid but all the great people in this world did not have such kind of toys. What’s necessary is to help them to enjoy with the toys that they have and that itself would give them a good start to live their lives in a simple way, but to the fullest.